Question about Engineering Disciplines

Hey guys, I've been considering pursuing a career in engineering. This is mostly because I’ve always been really into maths and science at school, and I love using logic to solve problems. But there are way too many types of engineers out there and it's kind of overwhelming. Can anyone break down the different types of engineering for me? What are the main sectors, and what do they entail?

Sure, I'd be happy to help delineate the different engineering disciplines. I'll focus on some of the most common, but note that there are many, many more, and some disciplines overlap. There are also numerous subdisciplines within, so it's worth doing more research if a particular field catches your interest.

1. Civil Engineering: Civil engineers work in designing, building, and maintaining the physical and natural built environments. This includes work on roads, bridges, dams, and buildings. They're often involved in city or urban planning and play an integral part in the design and construction of new towns or communities.

2. Mechanical Engineering: Perhaps the most broad field, mechanical engineers design, build and test mechanical devices. This can range from internal combustion engines to computer chips. They often work with machines and mechanical systems.

3. Electrical Engineering: Electrical engineers focus on the technology of electricity, and design a wide array of electrical systems, from telecommunication devices to power grids. It's an ideal field for those who have a strong interest in electronics, circuits, and electrical systems.

4. Chemical Engineering: If you love chemistry, chemical engineering might be the field for you. These engineers work on the design and development of chemical manufacturing processes. They convert raw materials into usable products, like medicine, food, and fuels, often in large scale industrial settings.

5. Industrial Engineering: Industrial engineers optimize complex processes or systems. They work to eliminate waste of time, money, materials, person-hours, machine time, and other resources. They are often found in manufacturing and production settings but can work in a variety of fields.

6. Aerospace Engineering: Aerospace engineers work with aircraft and spacecraft design. This is an ideal discipline for those fascinated by the mechanics of flight and the universe. They handle everything from designing prototypes of aircraft and spacecraft to supervising the manufacture of these products.

7. Computer Engineering: If you're into both hardware and software, computer engineering might be for you. These engineers work at the intersection of technology and innovation, designing and optimizing computing systems.

8. Environmental Engineering: Environmental engineers use their knowledge of engineering, soil sciences, biology, and chemistry to develop solutions to environmental problems. They are often involved in efforts to improve recycling, waste disposal, public health, and control of water and air pollution.

Remember, each of these fields, while having overarching themes, contain numerous subfields that offer even deeper specialization. Good luck with your exploration!